I bought one locally that the seller said was never opened. The fields when viewed from certain angles are frosted. Is this normal and if not does it make it worth less?
Forgot to mention that this is only on the obverse. There is also a black spec on the lower right hand corner of the obverse, can't tell what it is with the naked eye.
This unopen UHR should have been in an unopened US mint box. Displayed in a wooden box. Encapsulated in plastic. Many of these were 70's, tons of 69's...so when you say there is a black speck visible to the naked eye, it is a concern. Edit: I just saw your reply. You did NOT get an unopened UHR! Unopened refers to a sealed mailing package, from the US Mint.
The black speck could be something on the capsule. When you get home put the coin under magnification. Most of these things were utterly flawless.
I tried to open the capsule and it seems almost vacuum sealed, wants to close back shut. The spec is definitely on the coin. The frost fields are wierd, but could be caused by old dies I suppose. I don't see the mint sending out a coin with a black spec. Not happy that the seller might have been trying to sell off a less than perfect coin.
Ok maybe don't open it. Did you try twisting? I forgot PCGS opened mine. They were easy to open after being opened. I thought I saved them. Thought I could find them to send you one if the speck is on the capsule. Sorry, couldn't find either one.
Here is the picture of the coin: Here is the auction site: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...witem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_500wt_1156
OK, I take it you're not happy with your purchase? The seller has a return policy. I'd return the coin to him. No sense in keeping something you're not completely happy with. Too much "jing" involved. Eat the shipping back and chalk it up as a lesson learned that you don't buy high priced items on e-bay without good decent pictures and even then, you can never be entirely sure, untill the coin is in hand. I'd send it back UPS (some folks will disagree with my choice) "signiture required" and insure the package for the total worth.
I see a spot on the fourth ray from the rim on the left side. Is this what you are talking about? Was this disclosed to you in any private emails with the seller? If not it's reason enough to ask for a refund. My rule of thumb is anything over 1K needs to be slabbed by a top TPG or I see the coin in hand. Too much goes on with photographs and eBay to trust anyone. And when I hear the word Craigslist, I cringe.
The fourth ray is a spec a dust on the inside of the case. I'm asking about the fields that look discolored at certain angles as in this photo. I'm guessing this is toning and not frost as I earlier mentioned.
Dead on shot, you can still see the discolored fields above and below her left arm and the black spec.
